Activating Vacant Spaces

Living Lots NYC is a clearinghouse of information that New Yorkers can use to find, unlock and protect our shared resources. 596 Acres started with vacant lots and remains committed to helping fill these holes.

Reviewing Accountability

Urban Reviewer catalogs over 150 urban renewal plans that NYC adopted to get federal funding for acquiring land, relocating the people living there, demolishing the structures and making way for new public and private development.

Gaining Access to Public Buildings

NYCommons helps New Yorkers impact decisions about public land and buildings in their neighborhoods. It is a collaboration between Common Cause/NY, the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center, and 596 Acres.

New bill to exempt charities from tax lien sale

Rally at City Hall following introduction of bill and announcing other developments

Contact: Ben Roussel (212-255-2575 or ben@caminopr.com)

NEW YORK — This week, 2017, a bill will be introduced to exempt charities from the annual tax lien sale, which takes tax, water and sewer debt owed to the City and converts it into liens that are subsequently sold to a designated private trust managed by the Bank of New York Mellon. The bill also stipulates that charities be notified of their right, under state law, to refunds of any taxes paid. On Thursday, June 22, 2017, advocates, community leaders and elected officials will gather on the steps of City Hall to encourage swift action on the bill and to announce other developments. The rally will take place on the eve of the deadline for property owners to pay debt or enter in payment agreements to be removed from this year’s sale.

WHO: Advocates, clergy, community members and elected officials, including:

596 Acres champions resident stewardship of land to build just and equitable cities. In New York City, the organization builds tools to help neighbors see vacant lots as opportunities and create needed green spaces that become focal points for community organizing and civic engagement. 596 Acres created Living Lots NYC, an interactive tool about vacant land across NYC designed to support organizing and advocacy work.